In southern Mississauga, Ontario, you’ll find Port Credit—a charming historic waterfront neighborhood. “We love the character of the area, with its mature, tree-lined streets and beautiful mix of established homes,” says designer Alyssa Moscovitch-Young of Harper Gray Design. “The proximity to the waterfront gives the neighborhood a peaceful, relaxed feel. It’s close enough to the city to have everything at your fingertips yet feels like a private retreat away from it all.”
Alyssa’s clients purchased the Port Credit property in search of a larger home that could comfortably accommodate their family and, importantly, offer plenty of space to host and entertain. “They’re early retirees who spent their careers building successful companies in travel and tourism and graphic design, respectively,” she notes. “Their entrepreneurial spirit carries into their personal lives, too. They’ve lived in Kenya, sailed from Toronto to the Bahamas and back, and explored Peru, New Zealand, and much of Europe by motorcycle.”
The couple remains incredibly close to their three children, and while the kids have since moved out, the home has become a place where family and friends naturally gather. “One of the clients described the home as feeling like a ‘hug,’ a reflection of the warm, inviting spaces they wanted to create,” Alyssa tells us. “They also love opening their home to gatherings for nonprofits and charitable organizations, making entertaining and giving back an important part of how they use the space. Creating a home that felt warm, welcoming, and well suited to both everyday life and larger gatherings became a key focus of the design.”
Architecturally, the home had very traditional bones and detailing, but the clients wanted a more modern, updated aesthetic. “The challenge was finding the right balance between the two, blending contemporary furnishings and finishes with the home’s traditional character in a way that felt cohesive, intentional, and timeless,” Alyssa recalls. “Contemporary furnishings, sculptural lighting, and clean-lined pieces are layered against classic architectural detailing, creating a thoughtful tension between old and new and bringing a fresh perspective to the home’s timeless bones.”
That balance extended to function, too. In both the great room and basement, Alyssa maximized seating without compromising the overall aesthetic, creating spaces where everyone could comfortably gather and linger. “The dining room was designed to seat 14 for large family dinners, while throughout the home, the goal was to create an atmosphere that felt warm, welcoming, and effortless,” Alyssa says. “The result is a polished yet livable interior that feels collected, personal, and effortlessly suited to both everyday life and entertaining.”
See more in the slideshow.
